Charlotte Giesen

Charlotte Milton Caldwell Giesen (January 27, 1907 – January 28, 1995) (nicknamed "Pinkie") was a Virginia politician and news editor. A lifelong resident of Radford, Virginia, she served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1958 to 1961, becoming the first Republican woman elected to the House.

Life and career Charlotte Milton Caldwell was born to Charles Minor Caldwell and his wife the former Ida Goodykoontz in Radford, Virginia. She graduated from Radford College, then known as the Women's Division of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, On April 5, 1929, she married Arthur Rossa Giesen, and they had a son and daughter who survived them.

In 1954 Charlotte Giesen became the first woman elected to Radford's city council. Her husband, Arthur Giesen, was Radford's mayor and also served on the city council.

Fellow delegate, Democrat Dorothy Shoemaker McDiarmid, characterized Giesen as "everyone's favorite aunt." Giesen served on four committees: Federal Relations, Immigration, Printing, and Public Property.

Nonetheless, Charlotte Giesen continued her civic involvement. In 1962 she was reelected to the Radford City Council, on which she served until 1966.

Theodore Roosevelt Dalton and his son, future governor John N. Dalton, were Giesen's next-door neighbors during her time as a delegate.

Death and legacy Widowed, Giesen died at her home in Radford on January 28, 1995. The House of Delegates and State Senate jointly memorialized her.